Boots Full of Mud, Dog Full of Heart: A Rookie Retriever’s First Hunt

Boots Full of Mud, Dog Full of Heart: A Rookie Retriever’s First Hunt

We didn’t shoot a limit. He didn’t make a perfect retrieve. But he came alive in the marsh—and that was the whole point. A good retriever isn’t born trained. He’s born driven—and shaped by the hunts you share.

🦆 The Swamp Was Deeper Than It Looked

The plan was simple: early teal, small hole, light load, short paddle. The kind of morning built for Scout, my six-month-old black Lab, to dip a toe into the waterfowling world.

The plan fell apart at the second paddle stroke.

The canoe took on water. The cattails were thicker than expected. And by the time we got set, the sky was already turning gray-blue, and birds were buzzing high.

Scout was spinning in circles on the dog stand—excited, confused, too eager to sit still.

💥 The Shot and the Scramble

At 7:03 a.m., a pair of teal cut in fast. I barked “Sit!” and shouldered the 20-gauge. One bird folded, hit the water just past the edge of open cover.

Scout looked at me. I pointed.

“Back!”

He leapt. Not elegant. Not straight. But he swam hard.

Found the bird. Grabbed it wrong. Dropped it. Found it again. Swallowed a mouthful of marsh. Came back with the teal clenched like treasure.

Tail wagging. Face beaming. He was a duck dog now.

🎙️ “One bird is all it takes—for the dog, and the hunter.”

🧠 What Scout’s First Hunt Taught Me

✔️ Patience isn’t just for dogs
I had to let go of “perfect.” This was about experience, not polish.

✔️ Let the pup figure it out
He struggled. But the victory was his, not mine.

✔️ Keep things small
Teal + tight water + low pressure = the perfect training ground.

✔️ Celebrate the chaos
He chewed the duck. Knocked over the blind bag. Almost tipped the canoe. I smiled through it all.

✔️ You only get one first retrieve
Don’t rush it. Don’t over-plan it. Just be there for it.

🧰 Gear That Helped a Rookie Learn

We shot one bird. Scout made one real retrieve. I paddled back soaked to the knees and sore in the shoulders.

But my heart was full. His tail was thumping. And a new chapter had begun.

🎙️ “A good retriever isn’t born trained. He’s born driven—and shaped by the hunts you share.”

I wouldn’t change a thing.

📍Filed under: Dogs & Training
🕯️ Difficulty Level: Muddy, Unscripted, Worth It
🐶 Result: 1 Teal, 1 Proud Pup
🌿 Location: Early Teal Hole, Central Flyway